The Forgotten Victory - Australia

Australia is one of the four nations where sent out all Army‧Navy‧Air Force during the Korean War. Australian forces fought for ROK: 3 army infantry battalions of 2,282 soldiers, Naval force consisted of one aircraft carrier‧two destroyers‧one Frigit, and Air Force consisted of one combat aviation corps‧one transport plane squadron. Australian force, especially consisted of war veterans participated in the World War II, presented its skills and strong military strength in various lines.

The Australian government decided to participate in the Korean War in June 30 1950. The government called an emergency meeting for both houses of Congress regarding military aid measure for ROK, and passed the resolution unanimously.

At the same time the decision to participate in the war was made, two naval warships and one Air Force squadron, staying in Hongkong and Japan, moved to join with US force. In response to UN Secretary General's request to send out land force on July 10, Australia began to recruit volunteers from early August in order to gather enough soldiers to initiate a brigade. However, as war situations in early period were being aggravated minute by minute, Australia quickly initiated 3rd battalion by members of 76th infantry battalion-staying as occupational force in Japan-and sent out to Busan.

As first squad of its land force arrived at Busan on Sept. 27, Australia became the second nation to dispatch all Army‧Navy‧Air Force, following US.

Australian 3rd battalion, strength of 960 soldiers, rended the skies with fighting spirit and fightingstrength because the battalion was mainly consisted of volunteers, full of will to participate in the war, selected among those who have abundant combat experience gained in the World War II. With transference of the 3rd battalion, British 27th brigade not only changed its name to 27th brigade of the Commonwealth but also will to fight was highly elevated as war veterans joined.

Australian force had its first encounter with the enemy at Mt. Hwajang, located northeastern of Gaesong, on December 10, when UN forces began advance to the North operation. The 3rd battalion defeated North Korean troops via small-scale fights and took 3 enemies captive, and then advanced to Sariwon on 17th. In the night, at Sariwon, both British and North Korean army were terrified out of their senses after they understood their situation; both British army and North Korean army mistook each other for their allies and lowered their guards toward each other. Under such chaos, Australian force found out North Korean troops quickly escaping to North, and lost enemies' fighting spirit by making thundering noise moving tanks after inducing the enemy to come close to forward position. Soon after, Australian troops achieved an incredible bloodless victory capturing 1,982 POWs via psychological warfare recommending surrender.

Later, Australian force also fought hand-to-hand against its enemy, making the enemy's blood run cold, at Yeongyou battle. The Australian force performed a significant contribution at battles: Jeongju advance battle, Bakcheon battle, Jukdunri battle, Mt. Maryang battle, and etc. Especially, Australian army received a US presidential unit citation credited for repelling Communist Chinese army's advances, like raging billows, several times and giving tremendous damages to the enemy at Jukdunri battle; the battle defended Gapyeong till 24th standing against Chinese force's series of attacks on April started on April 22 1951. Until now, Royal Australian 3rd battalion, having its nickname 'Gapyeong battalion', fierce battles and victories of the period.

Australian navy performed significant exploits: maritime patrol with destroyers and Frigits as the center of 'Sydney' carrier, loaded with 3 aviation battalions, and executing various missions such as naval blockade and shelling, landing operations and etc. Its Air Force supported land force with CAS. In later phase of the war, Australian Air Force put Britain-made Meteor jets into action to fight against enemy's MIG jet fighters, and shoot down two MIGs. Moreover, the Australian government yielded F-51 to ROKAF on November 1952.